Studies of cyclization reactions of linear cumulenes and heterocumulenes using the neutralization–reionization procedure and/or ab initio calculations

Abstract

A number of linear cumulenes and heterocumulenes have been made by charge stripping of anions of known bond connectivity in the source of a mass spectrometer. Some of these reactive molecules have been identified in interstellar molecular clouds. The structures of these neutrals may be investigated by reionization to a decomposing positive ion [the neutralization-reionization technique ((-)NR(+))], and/or by ab initio calculations. Energized linear cumulenes and heterocumulenes may undergo cyclization to form stable cyclic isomers. To cite a selection of the examples described in this review: (i) four-atom systems CCCC and some heterocumulenes CCCX (X=B, N, Al, Si, P) involve the formation of stable four-membered ring rhombic (also called kite and fan) structures. One of the cyclic molecules, cyclo-C(3) Si, has been detected in interstellar molecular clouds, (ii) five-atom cumulene and heterocumulene systems are more complex. Linear CCCCC rearranges the carbon skeleton by forming a C substituted rhomboid system, CCCCO forms a three-membered cyclic isomer, while nitrogen containing five-atom cumulenes effect nitrile to isonitrile interconversion via three-centered cyclized intermediates, and (iii) CCCCCC and CCCCBO cyclize to give unique six-membered ring systems.